Re: John Hall Cashes Out-In

Originally Posted by HighInTheMtns

At least when they change the proof to 81 it will be an increase.

If I drank Forty Creek I'd be scared about this change. Campari sucks.

Campari doesn't get nearly the same hate as the likes of Diageo in the Scotch circles* but from reading this board and the lack of love for WT I'd say its probably the worst possible buyer for FC as far as whisky nerds are concerned.
As I said up-thread the only positive to come out of this will be increased distribution outside Canada. I don't see quality going anywhere but down**. The upside is that prices aren't likely to go up (much) since they're already near the top for the category.

* they only own Glen Grant which is nearly irrelevant as far as single malts go.
** Under John Hall, FC has been lauded as one of the best quality Canadian whiskies around. I don't think JH will be around very long, so what are the chances it will get better without him?

Re: John Hall Cashes Out-In

Originally Posted by MyOldKyDram

Wonder when we'll get a Canadian/Bourbon blend called Forgive, eh?

One day, a Canadian teamster accidentally drove a tanker truck full of fully matured, 80 proof Forty Creek to Lawrenceburg, where a foolish warehouseman accidentally poured it into a tank containing the finest 13 year old 91 proof WT. They were going to fire him, but then Campari realized what a marketing bonanza it could be and bottled the 85.5 proof blend. Somehow there is enough of the accidental blend that this bottle will be available for years to come (I'm guessing that it was the same tank they used to batch WT-03-RB.)

Re: John Hall Cashes Out-In

You's guys!!! Jee Whiz give 'em a break, at least 'til they actually screw up the actual product(s).
Here's hoping that takes a good long time, eh?

No way!! Pro-active bitching is the way to go. That way you're happy because you get to be right...or you're happy if things don't change at all. It's a win-win!

For the record, I like WT. I've seen lots of love for the recent 101 and RB. The RRSBSB is pretty decent and all of the recent limited editions (Tribute, Tradition, Am. Spirit) have been very good. But I'm sure people will be coming out of the woodwork to talk about how good Forty Creek used to be...

Re: John Hall Cashes Out-In

Glad for the owners to have done well from the business, however IMO Forty Creek's whiskeys, while important to push the envelope of the Canadian norm, did not (or so far) create a new template, did not produce something to rival a good bourbon or straight rye, or single malt. The products largely retain a Canadian approach but with more oomph; perhaps that very characteristic is what attracted the buyer.

Re: John Hall Cashes Out-In

Originally Posted by Gillman

Glad for the owners to have done well from the business, howeverIMO Forty Creek's whiskeys, while important to push the envelope of the Canadian norm, did not (or so far) create a new template, did not produce something to rival a good bourbon or straight rye, or single malt. The products largely retain a Canadian approach but with more oomph; perhaps that very characteristic is what attracted the buyer.

Gary

Hallelujah!!!
Everytime I say words to that effect on other forums or twitter, the fanatics shout me down and say I'm a Canadian whisky hater. How can you criticize "the man". Maybe now that FC will no longer be just a little independent "craft" yada yada producer, more people will come out and say it like it is. Facts are, for all the stuff JH did, none of it was that unique (even for Canada) and he stuck to tried and true Canadian whisky norms: blending, low abv, chill filtration. Even the annual limited edition releases where he could have really been diff (high abv, single barrel, etc) stuck to the formula!

In the end, though, good for him for making a bucket load of money for his investors. Me thinks he sold at the right time. He may go down in history as an even better business man than a distiller!